Brad Gilbert takes issue with the lack of clarity in tennis rules surrounding the serve

Brad Gilbert, a well-known figure in the world of tennis, recently took to social media to express his frustration with a particular aspect of the game. After his player, Coco Gauff, secured a victory in the Round of 16 at the Italian Open, Gilbert aired his grievances about the current tennis rules.

Specifically, Gilbert’s issue revolves around the practice of players catching the ball after tossing it to begin their service motion. He argues that this habit, particularly prevalent among female players, slows down the game, disrupts the opponent’s concentration, and defeats the purpose of the serving clock.

While some agree with Gilbert and advocate for limitations on the number of times a player can catch the toss within a game or set, others believe that players should be allowed this practice to assess changing conditions during a match. However, Gilbert contends that players are not assessing conditions but rather correcting an incorrect toss that could result in a fault.

The debate sparked by Gilbert’s comments has divided opinions within the tennis community. Some support his call for eliminating caught tosses in the women’s game, while others argue that such a change would be impractical or unnecessary.

As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen whether Gilbert’s criticisms will lead to any changes in the rules of the game. For now, his outspoken views have certainly ignited a lively debate among tennis enthusiasts.